The European Union has agreed to impose new sanctions on Belarus in order to strengthen its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This move aims to prevent Moscow from bypassing restrictions through its relationship with Minsk.
The Belgian presidency announced that the new sanctions package will enhance the bloc’s efforts to address Russia’s actions and close a major loophole in existing sanctions. The customs union between Russia and Belarus has made it easier for the countries to evade punitive measures, prompting the need for alignment of sanctions. By mirroring the sanction measures against Russia with those imposed on Belarus, the EU aims to limit Minsk’s support for Moscow’s efforts to circumvent sanctions and aid in its war effort.
The package of sanctions has been under consideration by EU ambassadors for nearly two years, with the main obstacle being the lack of agreement on sanctioning Belarusian fertilizers. These fertilizers are considered crucial for food security in regions like Africa. By addressing this issue and aligning sanctions with those against Russia, the EU aims to send a clear message and close off avenues for circumventing restrictions.
